Biomass Service and Maintenance

Ideally biomass boiler services take place at least once a year as per the manufacturer’s instructions, although it does also depend on the run hours of the boiler. Regularly servicing your boiler is important not only for efficient operations, but also to maintain its warranty.

No, any qualified biomass service engineer should be able to service your biomass boiler. Be sure that the engineer is qualified and experienced to service your boiler type, and we would advise using HETAS approved service engineers so you can be assured of the quality of the service.

Yes, biomass boilers must be turned off in advance of a service to allow for drainage and cooling. If the boiler is still hot, it cannot be serviced because all internal parts need to be inspected when cold to ensure the safety of our engineers.

• Boilers sized between 7-125kW need to be turned off 12 hours prior to the service
• Boilers sized between 130 – 250kW need to be turned off 24 hours prior to the service
• Boilers sized 250 kW and above need to be turned off 48 hours prior to the service

ENplus strongly advises cleaning your fuel store after every five deliveries or at least once every two years, whichever comes first. Following the cleaning of your store, it is the perfect opportunity to schedule a redelivery and a biomass boiler service.

It is important to note that wood pellets lose their ENplus accreditation once they are removed from a store. Therefore, it is highly recommended to let your store run as low as possible before conducting a cleaning.

The frequency of ash box emptying may vary depending on the type of biomass boiler you have. In general, with most boilers, it is recommended to empty the ash box every two to three weeks. Some boiler systems indicate when to empty the bin, others need to be done based on usage. Please refer to your system's guide.

Flue sweeping should be carried at least once a year, in line with the boiler service, to maintain correct combustion values. HETAS and National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS) lists out qualified operatives.

Before performing a flue sweep, it's crucial to allow the flue to cool down. We highly recommend turning off the boiler at least 4 hours prior to the sweep. This will ensure that the flue is at a safe temperature for the cleaning process. By allowing ample time for cooling, you will help prevent any potential hazards and ensure a smooth and effective chimney sweep.

If your biomass boiler system is registered with the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme, then maintaining it is not only advisable, but also a legal requirement. To remain compliant, biomass boilers must be serviced by a HETAS registered engineer, which can be found listed on the HETAS Approved Biomass Maintenance Scheme (HABMS). Ofgem has the right to audit your system and maintenance records at any time - for more information, we recommend visiting the HETAS website.

To ensure you are purchasing the best quality fuel for your own application it is highly recommended that you purchase fuel from a certified supplier, where an independent body has guaranteed that fuel is produced to a defined standard. These include the Woodsure certification scheme and the ENplus scheme. The Biomass Suppliers List (BSL) is another important reference available to identify fuels that are sustainability sourced.

Reheat also offers a low carbon heat supply service, where we source quality wood fuel, deal with suppliers, monitor fuel stores/levels and arrange deliveries on your behalf.